A Safety light curtain is an opto-electronic device (also known as Active Opto-electronic Protective Device) designed to give industry workers optimal protection from injuries due to the hazardous motion moving machines or machine parts that would include but are not limited to winders, presses, grinders and rollers. Light curtains have been used by most industries today in lieu of the traditional forms of machine protection like mat barriers.
A Light curtains is better favored by most industries today because of the absence of the traditional physical guards or barriers that allows better maintainability of the equipment. With the traditional light barriers, operators have limited access to some parts of the machine. A Light curtain is also by far better than the traditional barriers when it comes to protecting both the operator and the machine.
Safety Light Curtain
But how does a light curtain operate?
Safety light curtain belong to the presence detection class of devices. Each light curtain has a line up of pairs of transmitters and receivers fixed on opposite sides. Each transmitter projects a beam of light (infrared light) that is directed towards its specific receiver pair. Receivers are made up of photoelectric cells that are designed to detect the incoming beam of infrared light. The pairs of transmitters and receivers are lined up on both sides producing parallel lines creating an invisible curtain of lights. When an object (a worker’s hand for example) passes through the curtain of light, it obstructs the transmission of light to the receiver/s and in effect, the light curtain will send a command to the guarded equipment causing it to stop automatically before the object gets crushed or eaten, or before the operator gets injured by the machine.
The advancement of technology provides many kinds of light curtains that would suit anyone’s or any company’s guarding needs. When the location of the machine don’t have much space, compact light curtain designs are available to fit the area. When it comes to guarding a huge perimeter, large and powerful light curtain models are best for the job. Many safety light curtain producing companies offer light curtains that are customized to suit your protection and automation needs at the least possible price. Some elevators and automatic doors use light curtains. If you are trying to catch an elevator that is just about to close, just put you hand in remaining door opening to stop the door from closing. Don’t worry because the elevator doors will automatically stop closing, and opens the doors again so you could get in safe and sound.
Ever since the development and use of light curtains in industries, the moving-machine-related injury rate had significantly decreased. Workers are now more productive because they no longer hesitate to operate or get near the machines because of the light curtains installed.
The safety of the workers should be first priority in every industry. Adding unfailing and ever reliable safety feature to hazardous machines is not only a good idea, but is also the most ergonomically sound management practice. Happy, confident and safe workers are the ones that produce the most output in any production line. With light curtains guarding your machines and perimeter, you are one step closer towards gaining the most out of your investment.